TWO DIMENSIONAL SAMPLE HANDLER

摘要

A method for positioning a sample in a diagnostic analyzer includes: providing two or more sample carriers on a conveyor; providing a fixed registration element for each sample carrier at predetermined locations alon g the conveyor; providing a flexure device positioned between the sample carri er and the conveyor; advancing the sample carrier beyond the fixed registration elements; reversing the conveyor direction to back at least one of the sampl e carriers into contact with its corresponding registration elements; continui ng to reverse the conveyor until all sample carriers are in contact with their respective registration elements; whereby the flexure elements of the sample carriers in contact with the respective registration elements will deform as the conveyor reverses to allow all sample carriers to contact their respective registration elements, thereby providing a known position of the sample carrier. A flexure device includes: first and second legs forming a inverted U-shape; a third leg which extends away from the top of the inverted U-shape; and a fourth leg which extends down the center of the U in the direction of the ends of t he U. A sample handling system for a diagnostic analyzer include: a continuous belt; a flexure device as described engaged with the continuous belt; a samp le carrier movably engaged with the flexure element; registration elements arranged along the conveying system at predetermined locations; whereby when the sample carrier is transported beyond the fixed registration element s the conveyor direction is reversed such that at least one of the sample carriers comes into contact with its corresponding registration elements; and the conveyor is continually reversed until all sample carriers are in contact wi th their respective registration elements; where in the flexure elements of the sample carriers in contact with the respective registration elements will deform as the conveyor reverses to allow all sample carriers to contact their respective registration elements, thereby providing a known position of the sample carrier.